H.E. Alem Tsehaye Woldemariam, Ambassador of the Republic of Eritrea and Dean of the African Groups of Heads of Missions in India gave the welcome address at this dialogue, with a special address from Dr Neena Malhotra, Joint Secretary (East & Southern Africa) Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

May 2018

May 25th, crowned as Africa Day, recite the annual commemorations of Africa's independence, freedom, and liberation strife from colonial imperialists. This year, Africa is geared up to celebrate 55 years of unwavering efforts for unity among the African people, and socioeconomic freedom from foreign dominion and exploitation.

As a run-up to Africa Day, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised the "India Africa Dialogue: Deepening Trade & Investment Partnership” on 22 May 2018.

The event was held in collaboration with the African Heads of Diplomatic Missions located in India. The dialogue looked at issues, workable solutions for enhancing the current India - Africa trade relations, and the way forward.

Delivering the welcome remarks, Dean of the African Groups of Heads of Missions in India said “This year’s Africa Day aims to shine a light on the opportunities that exist between India and the continent of Africa for developing partnerships and collaboration. Our theme for this year’s celebrations is 'Combating Corruption' and it is in the true spirit of working together that we celebrate Africa Day and its people.

Dr Neena Malhotra in her special address said, “Africa and India are increasingly becoming more prominent partners in each other’s trade with significant growth in the market shares of their respective imports and exports.”

She also mentioned the decision of the government of India to open 18 new diplomatic missions in Africa.

The rapid growth in bilateral trade flows has come about because both Indian and African Governments have systematically brought down the barriers to seamless bilateral trade flows, by dismantling various tariff and non-tariff barriers. Private sectors in both regions have been at the helm of various trade promotion and facilitation initiatives.

The panelists were in high spirits discussing the recent signing of the free trade agreement. The agreement has the potential to deliver a great deal for countries on the continent. The hope is that the trade deal will trigger a virtuous cycle of more intra African trade, which in turn will drive the structural transformation of economies – the transition from low productivity and labour intensive activities to higher productivity and skills intensive industrial and service activities – which in turn will produce better-paid jobs and make an impact on poverty.

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